Summer Academy

Registration for Summer Academy is $650. Your registration fee covers all meals, supplies and activities from Monday morning through the end of the academy.

A non-refundable $100 deposit is required at registration to secure your spot. You can either pay the full Summer Academy fee during registration or pay the remaining balance by mid-May. The remaining balance is fully refundable if requested by mid-May. After mid-May, no refunds will be issued for the deposit or remaining balance.

The $100 deposit is non-refundable from the time of registration. However, you can receive a full refund of the remaining balance if you request it by mid-May. Refunds for the remaining balance will be processed using the same method as your original payment. After mid-May, no refunds will be issued for either the deposit or the remaining balance.

If your Summer Academy track is cancelled for any reason or you are waitlisted for your Summer Academy track, you are eligible for a full refund, including the deposit.

The deadline to register for Summer Academy is mid-May. (The specific date will be updated when registration opens.) However, registration for each program will close once it reaches capacity. We encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure your spot in your preferred program!

On-campus housing is available and encouraged unless a student specifically requests an exception; students will be paired with other Summer Academy students in a residence hall.

During the day, you'll explore a college major with exciting activities led by JBU professors. During the evenings, you'll participate in fun activities and events put together by JBU students.

You will receive a track-specific schedule via email in the weeks leading up to Summer Academy. Below is the typical schedule.

Summer Academy schedule

Tentative

All times are CT.

Summer Academy is a casual event, so wear comfortable, casual clothes like you would at school. Closed-toe shoes may be required for certain lab activities.

• The academy will provide airport pick-up and drop-off only from Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). 

• Students or groups flying into any other airport, such as Tulsa International Airport (TUL), must arrange their own transportation to and from the academy. 

• Official pick-up will occur on the Sunday before the event and Friday afternoon after the event concludes. Detailed arrival times and flight information must be submitted in advance via the form that will be emailed to participants.

• Clothes
• Toiletries
• Towel, washcloth/loofa
• Bedding for a twin bed
• Pillow
• Pencils, pens, paper

• Laptop or tablet
• Camera
• Workout clothes

As spaces become available, JBU Summer Academy staff will move waitlisted registrants off the waitlist in order of priority, based on the date of registration. You will be notified if your registration is moved. If you are not moved off the waitlist by mid-May, JBU Summer Academy staff will reach out to either cancel your waitlist registration or offer you a spot in another track, depending on availability.

If you choose to cancel your waitlist registration, you will receive a full refund (including deposit). If you choose to join another Summer Academy track, your payment will be transferred.

Submit the Summer Academy Information form to receive Summer Academy updates, including a notification when registration opens, as they are available.

For other questions, please contact Sarah Erdman, Director of Summer Academy, at serdman@jbu.edu.

Yes, there is a code of conduct that all participants must follow. You can review the details here. 

Parents/guardians (for minors) or students (18+) must acknowledge and agree to abide by it at registration.

Summer Academy is a week-long residential program at JBU where high school students explore potential college majors. You can highlight this experience on your resume to demonstrate academic initiative and career exploration.
 
Sample description:
 
JBU Summer Academy - [Track Name] Program
June 2025 (1 week)
Participated in intensive hands-on training in [specific track] under university faculty guidance
Developed technical skills through specialized lab work and real-world projects
Collaborated with peers on [specific project/presentation relevant to track]
Gained exposure to career pathways through interactions with industry professionals
Experienced collegiate academic environment through residential program

Absolutely! International students are welcome to apply. Please review our international students information page for important details about registration deadlines, chaperone requirements, travel arrangements and visa documentation.